India failed to reach the semifinals of the fourth edition of the World T20. (Reuters Photo)

India beat South Africa by one run but crashed out of the fourth edition of the World T20. TOI lists four areas where the 2007 champs must improve...

OPENING BLUES:

Both Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir failed miserably at the top. They looked rusty, lacked application and confidence. Their lack of feet movement betrayed their nerves. While Sehwag scored just 54 runs from three innings with a highest score of 29, Gambhir managed 80 from five games with a top score of 45.

RICKETY MIDDLE-ORDER:

As Virat Kohli bulldozed through opponents, others struggled. Be it Rohit Sharma, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh or MS Dhoni, everyone failed to live up to their reputation. Rohit looked scratchy barring his unbeaten 55 against England. Suresh Raina pulled up his socks against South Africa in India's do-or-die match but it was too little, too late.

COMBO CONUNDRUM:

While the three-spinner strategy boomeranged against Australia partly due to rain, MS Dhoni's team selections have not really been convincing. Australia may have struggled against spin but to go with three specialist spinners when India have part-timers like Yuvraj and Raina who can also bowl spin is ridiculous. Again, to leave out Harbhajan Singh against South Africa when Pakistan stifled Australia with spin on the same ground was surprising.

INSIPID BOWLING:

Is Zaheer Khan becoming a liability? The Indian pace spearhead had an average series against New Zealand and looked woefully out of form in the World T20 as well. Lakshmipathy Balaji, who picked up nine wickets, showed good fighting spirit but went for runs against Australia. Irfan Pathan (five wickets) did what he could within his limitations. India were lucky to play all their games in Colombo, where spin gets an edge over pace. Our spinners struck but also left a lot to be desired.